Arlo Guthrie

NCH, Dublin

The classical surroundings of the National Concert Hall might seem an incongruous setting for the homely musings and music of Arlo Guthrie, but the affable American folk singer’s stories and songs softened the venue’s hauteur and charmed a reasonable-sized audience on Monday night.

Now 63, Guthrie is a survivor, both of the perils of early stardom and the curse of a famous parent. The son of folk singer icon Woody, he became a counter-culture hero in the late 1960s when his hilarious tale of the Alice's Restaurant Massacreelampooned authority while taking a strong anti-war stance. However, though this debut album would prove to be the high watermark of his songwriting popularity, he has carved out a 40-year career doing what he does best – entertaining with a mix of whimsy, honesty, humour, good picking and good songs. Many of the latter are drawn from the rich tradition to which his father contributed so much.

His 90-minute performance was a model of understated professionalism, weaving songs such as Steve Goodman's City of New Orleansand his father's This Land Is Your Landinto stories of childhood, family and lessons learned. He radiates an easy personality, happy to be a rube with reason on his side. But that image downplays the skill and timing of his performance and the incisive way he gets his message across. In strong experienced hands like his, a voice, a guitar and a harmonica can be a potent weapon for good.

Earlier, the show opened with the excellent Jess Klein, a fine New York singer-songwriter now relocated to Austin, Texas, and her guitarist/producer who goes by the joyful monicker of Scrappy Jud Newcomb. Her voice was pristine in these hallowed halls as she sang songs from her new album, Bound To Love.

She generously gave way some of her short time onstage to someone called Matt the Electrician who took her guitar for a wry retail tale.

Cue smiles all round. It was that kind of night.